Birdcage attachments

ABSTRACT

Birdcage attachments are mountable to a birdcage and present a bird with a variety of interesting and challenging activities. The toy attachments encourage birds to learn by experimenting. As a bird manipulates some parts of the toy attachments, the bird will discover that the parts may be put into different positions and remain there until deciding to move them again. In most cases, the parts will not automatically return to their original state or position if the bird stops playing, challenging a bird even more to return the toy to its original state.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) fromU.S. Application No. 60/370,200 filed Apr. 5, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to birdcage attachments, and moreparticularly to birdcage toy attachments that challenge a bird's naturalcuriosity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Most of the birds kept as pets and sold in the pet trade ascompanion birds belong to the Psittacine family of birds. The familyincludes the most popular bird, the parakeet, also called budgerigar orsimply budgie, as well as lovebirds, cockatiels and parrots. These birdsare highly inquisitive, agile, manipulative and easily trained. Beingconfined in cages, they are often perceived as suffering from boredomunless provided with some objects that arouse their interest.

[0004] Many so-called toys are being sold to keep these birds busy, butfew of the toys seem to really challenge the bird's natural curiosity.Most toys are made for either chewing or climbing—certainly activitieswhich these birds should engage in—but are not necessarily challengingto the bird's inquisitive mind. Other toys can merely be set swinging orturning if the bird simply pecks at them and will return to theiroriginal state or position once the bird loses interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The birdcage attachments of the present invention encourage birdsto learn by experimenting. As the bird manipulates some parts of thetoys, the bird will discover that the parts may be put into differentpositions and remain there until deciding to move them again. In mostcases, the toys of the present invention will not automatically returnto their original state or position if the bird stops playing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a birdcage attachmentof the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the birdcage attachment of FIGS. 1and 2.

[0009]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 illustrates the activating mechanism of the birdcageattachment of FIG. 4.

[0011]FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of abirdcage attachment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 7 illustrates the inner and outer ring of the embodiment ofFIG. 6 displaced with respect to each other.

[0013]FIGS. 8 and 9 are top views illustrating the inner and outer ringof the embodiment of FIG. 6 displaced with respect to each other.

[0014]FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a top view of the birdcage attachment of FIG. 10.

[0016]FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the birdcage attachment of FIG.12.

[0018]FIG. 14 is a front view of the birdcage attachment of FIG. 12.

[0019]FIG. 15 is a partial top view of the birdcage attachment of FIG.12.

[0020]FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 17 is a front view of the attachment of FIG. 16.

[0022]FIG. 18 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 16 shown attachedto a birdcage wall.

[0023]FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 20 is a front view of the attachment of FIG. 19.

[0025]FIG. 21 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 19.

[0026]FIG. 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 23 is a front view of the attachment of FIG. 22.

[0028]FIG. 24 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 22.

[0029]FIG. 25 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 26 is a side view of the attachment of FIG. 25.

[0031]FIG. 27 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 28 is a top view of the attachment of FIG. 27.

[0033]FIG. 29 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 29.

[0035]FIG. 31 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a birdcageattachment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment of FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The following detailed description is of the best mode or modesof the invention presently contemplated. Such description is notintended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example ofthe invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and byreference to which in connection with the following description and theaccompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of theadvantages and construction of the invention. In the various views ofthe drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

[0038] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of a birdcage attachment 50of the present invention. For purposes of explanation, certain birdcageattachments of the invention will be described as educational “toys,”although it will be understood that the use of the term “toy” is not tobe interpreted in any limiting sense.

[0039] The toys of the present invention are all preferably mounted onsmall variously shaped, plates 62 which will be attached to the insideof a birdcage. The plates are preferably non-opaque (i.e., transparentor translucent) and may be colored so that the view of a bird throughthe cage wall and through the plate is not obstructed by the plate. Anexample of such an attaching mechanism 60 is shown in connection withthe toy of FIGS. 1-3. The majority of inexpensive prior art bird itemsuse a graduated, snap-on pressure fit and tends to bend the bars of thecage and also disturb the bird when put into place. It is also lesssecure than the screw attachment means 60 illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Prior art accessories with “snap-on” mechanisms are alwaysdifficult to manipulate. With one hand one must hold the cage steady andwith the other push on or pull off the accessory. This process alwaysfrightens birds since the cage shakes and rattles excessively, puttingespecially newly acquired birds under serious stress. This is mosttroublesome with feeders and waterers which must be removed andre-mounted regularly for cleaning and refilling. The present attachments(toys, waterers, feeders, etc.) utilize screw and nut assemblies 60, andcan be cleaned and refilled without having to remove the entire unitfrom the cage.

[0040] The attachment means 60 of FIGS. 1-3, for example, comprises aplate 62 with a screw fastener 64 integrally formed or embedded therein,and a threaded cap 66 that engages the fastener 64. The fastener 64 ispreferably integrally formed into said plate 62 either by co-moldingsaid fastener 64 with said plate 62, or by embedding the fastener 64into said plate 62. Alternatively, the fastener and plate could beproduced in a single mold. Alternatively, the fastener could be snappedinto engagement with the plate. Other attachment means are clearlycontemplated. In either case, the fastener 64 becomes effectivelyirremovable from or through the plate 62. Alternatively, the fastenermay be press-fit through the plate. Other means of attaching thefastener to the plate are contemplated. The nut or cap 66 is engageablewith the fastener 64 to secure the toy 50 to a birdcage wall (notshown). The fastener 64 is dimensioned to extend through an opening inthe bars of a birdcage wall such that the plate 62 lies adjacent aninner side of the birdcage wall and is preferably wide enough to bridgethe bars surrounding the opening, while the cap 66 is adapted to engagesaid fastener 64 on an outer side of the birdcage wall for securelyclamping said toy 50 to said birdcage wall, the width of the cap facealso preferably bridging the bars surrounding the opening.

[0041] The toy 50 of FIGS. 1-3 is rotatable around a central axis 55 andfurther comprises a series of discs 52 provided at spaced-apartintervals and secured between first and second lower housings 51, 53respectively. Each of the discs 52 may be colored, clear or comprisemirrors embedded inside the openings 54, which presents a unique visualstimulus for a bird. Some or all of the openings 54 may also be empty,which may be further intriguing for a bird. An expandable pin 56provided on the second housing 53 is press-inserted into an opening 65in the plate 62 for attachment thereto. The housings 51, 53 arerotatable around axis 55 relative to the mounting plate 62. Knobs orprotrusions 58 provided on one of the housings 51 may be provided forgripping by a bird to assist a bird in rotating the toy 50.

[0042]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative attachment 100incorporating a bell 110. Practically every toy on the market has asmall bell incorporated in it. In order to make the prior art bell ring,the bird simply pecks at it. The bell toy 100 of the present inventioncomprises a bell 110 hanging from a bar 120 which is attached to amounting plate 130. A means 132 for attaching the mounting plate to abirdcage can be incorporated into the attachment 100 as discussed above.The bell 110 is slidable along the bar 120. The toy 100 is placed insidea cage high enough above a perch (not shown) so that a bird cannotsimply peck at the bell 110. Instead, a bird must pull on one of twochains 112, 114 attached between a bar 111 and through which is attacheda striker 116 to cause the striker 116 to strike the inside of the bell110. The striker 116 is suspended from the top 117 of the bell 110 andacts as a pivot point for the bar 111, which pivots in response to apull on one of the chains 112, 114. Gripping members or balls 113, 115provided on the ends of the chains 112, 114 assist a bird in tugging thechains 112, 114. Referring to FIG. 5, the chains 112, 114 are arrangedrelative to the bar 111 and striker 116 such that a downward force uponchain 112 results in the bar 111 pivoting in a counterclockwisedirection, the chain 114 moving in an upward motion and the striker 116moving to the right and striking the inside of the bell 110. Similarly,a downward force upon chain 114 results in the bar 111 pivoting in aclockwise direction, the chain 112 moving in an upward motion and thestriker 116 moving to the left and striking the inside of the bell 110.The counter-movement of one of the chains in response to a tug on theother chain and a resultant ringing of the bell presents a unique visualand audible arrangement for a bird.

[0043] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a double ring toy 150 having a mirroredinner circle ring 160 and an open outer ring 170. The rings 160, 170rotate with respect to each other about a central axis 180. The rings160, 170 are secured to a mounting plate 152 by a pair of support arms153, 154, and each ring is capable of rotating 360° around said axis 180either in unison with the other ring or separate therefrom. A fastener156 is secured to the mounting plate 152 as discussed above and isengageable with a cap 157 as discussed above for securing the mountingplate to a birdcage (not shown). The motion of the rings 160, 170relative to each other and to the mounting plate 152 presents a uniquevisual experience for a bird.

[0044]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a revolving drum toy 200 comprising amounting plate 205, a pair of support arms 210, 215, a fastener 220, acap 225 and a drum 230 rotatable between the support arms 210, 215. Thedrum 230 comprises a hollow cylinder bounded by a plurality of spacedapart bars 235 (bounded by the end plates 231, 232) of the drum 230 thatretain a sounding means 240 inside the drum 230. The bars 235 may beclear, the same color or multi-colored. The sounding means 240 may be abell or some other object that creates a sound when moved, whichsounding means may rotate and slide within the interior of the drum 230.The drum 230 is rotatable about a central axis 245. The motion of thedrum 230 and bars 235 and the sound created by the sounding means 240presents a unique visual and aural experience for a bird.

[0045] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate a tilt a wheel device 250 having aplurality of heads 260, 270 that are each individually rotatable aroundits own central axis 262, 272 and are connected to each other by an arm265 that is also rotatable about a central axis 267. Each of the heads260, 270 can have mirrored sides to increase the enjoyment to theanimal. The heads 260, 270 can be decorated with something other thanmirrors as desired. The arm 265 is attached between a pair of supportmembers 252, 254, which are attached to a mounting plate 255 having afastener 256 that is engageable with a cap 257 as described above. Thearm 265 and the heads 260, 270 are rotatable individually or in unisonrelative to the mounting plate 255. The rotating motion of the arm 265about its central axis 267 and the heads 260, 270 about their axes 262,272 and relative to each other and to the mounting plate 255 presents aunique visual experience for a bird.

[0046] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a star ring toss toy 300 birdcageattachment of the present invention. In front of a star-shaped (othershapes are contemplated) mounting plate 305, a ring (other shapes arecontemplated) 310 hangs suspended on a chain 315 from a support arm 320.A fastener 325 extends outwardly from the mounting plate 305 and isengageable with a cap 330 as discussed above for clamping the mountingplate 305 to a birdcage wall 340. A locator post 345 may be provided onthe rear of the mounting plate 305 for locating the mounting plate 305relative to the bars 342 in the birdcage wall 340. While illustratedinitially in the embodiment of FIGS. 16-18, such locator post may be onany of the embodiments described herein. On the outer periphery of thering 310, there are preferably six equally spaced short “spokes” 312which help a bird hold the ring 310 in different positions. A bird canmanipulate the ring 310 and has a choice of placing it on either one oftwo pegs 307, 308 (other number of pegs are contemplated) positioned onthe right and left of the back plate 305 relative to the support arm320, or on the support arm 320 if desired. The pegs 307, 308 may beplaced anywhere on the mounting plate 305 relative to the support arm320 and present a unique interactive experience to a bird wishing toattach and remove the ring 310 from the pegs 307, 308.

[0047] FIGS. 19-21 illustrate a leap frog toy 350 of the presentinvention. A mounting plate 355 is provided with a support ledge 360 towhich is attached an arcuate rod 365. A fastener 357 is attached to theplate 355 and is engageable with a cap 359 as discussed above, and alocator pin 356 may be provided on the rear of the mounting plate 355for locating the toy 350 relative to a birdcage wall. The plate 355 androd 365 may have the same arcuate shape as illustrated, or the shapesmay be different as desired. A plurality of preferably colorful rings370, 372, 374 are placed on the rod 365 which a bird can move, eitherone at a time or in groups, from one side, up over the top of the rod365 to the other side, and back. While such rings are illustrated asannular in design, other shapes may be used. Also, other shapes for therod 365 are contemplated.

[0048] FIGS. 22-24 illustrate a swinging batons toy 400 of the presentinvention. A mounting plate 405 is provided with an arcuate support 410and a fastener 407 that is engageable with a cap 409 as discussed above.While the plate 405 may be triangular as illustrated, other shapes arecontemplated. Three batons or rods 412, 414, 416 are suspended and hangvertically from the support 410. Such rods may be the same color, ormulti-colored, or may comprise a different shape from that illustratedin FIGS. 22-24. A shelf or platform 420, 422 is provided on each side ofthe support 410 for receiving one or more rods thereon. A bird can moveeach rod along the support and place it horizontally on either shelf420, 422. While a pair of shelves 420, 422 are illustrated, only one ormore than two shelves may be provided as desired.

[0049] FIGS. 25-26 illustrate a sliding peg toy 450 of the presentinvention. A mounting plate 455 is provided with a fastener 460 that isengageable with a cap (not shown) as discussed above. While the plate455 may be triangular as illustrated, other shapes are contemplated. Aplurality of rods 465, 470, 475 are mounted in openings 467, 472, 477near the corners of the plate 455. While three rods are shown, at leastone and more than two or three rods are contemplated. A bird canmanipulate the rods 465, 470, 475 by pushing or pulling them back andforth relative to the mounting plate 455, with stops 464, 466, 469, 471,474, 476 provided on the ends of the rods to prevent the rods from beingseparated from the mounting plate 455. The rods are dimensioned so thatthey are rotatable within the openings 467, 472, 477 and extend throughopenings (spaces between bars) in a birdcage wall.

[0050] FIGS. 27-28 illustrate a rotatable barrel device 500 of thepresent invention comprising a mounting plate 505 having a fastener 507and cap 509 as discussed above. A pair of support arms 510, 515 areattached to the mounting plate 505 for connecting a rotatable barrel 520therebetween along a support axle 521. The barrel 520 is rotatable alongan axis 522 and is provided with a series of spikes 525 arranged aroundthe outer periphery. The spikes 525 may be multi-colored and/or coloredthe same as the barrel 520 and may be disposed around the outerperiphery of the barrel 520 in a variety of different arrangements.

[0051]FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate a watering device birdcage attachment550 for caged birds, specifically a watering device that allows for aneasy, non-spill application of water and minimal disturbance of a birdinside a birdcage. The attachment 550 utilizes a valve 560 so that watercannot leak when the device 550 is refilled with water. Prior artexternal waterers where the water is held in a container outside a cageare known. However, what is one of the unique features about the waterer550 of the present invention is the non-leak valve 560 and the means582, 584 of attaching the waterer 550 to a cage (not shown).

[0052] In the prior art, water is stored for the bird in a number ofways. First, water can be put in a cup that attaches to the inside ofthe cage bars. The problem with this method is that water often spillswhen filling the cup and placing it in the cage, water spills in thecage and the bird often splashes the water around the cage. Anothermethod utilizes an external water chamber that rests on a holder havinga small trough which extends into the cage and gives the bird access tothe water. The water chamber is filled and the holder with trough isplaced in inverted position onto the water chamber. The unit is thenturned upside down and mounted on the cage. The entire unit must beremoved from the cage for refilling of the water chamber.

[0053] With the device 550 of the present invention, a lid 570 is placedonto the water reservoir 572. The lid 570 has a small hole 574 which canbe covered by a flat, round disk 562, serving as a valve 560. A shortrod 564 projects from the center of the disk 562 and extends roughly onehalf inch through the hole 574 in the lid. Another disk at the end ofthe rod prevents the valve assembly from slipping out of the hole in thelid. The valve assembly can freely move up and down. A holder 580 forthe water reservoir is attached to the outside of the cage via afastener 582 and cap 584 as discussed above, and a narrow trough 590extends through the bars into the inside of the cage. Contrary to priorart devices, the holder 580 never has to be detached from the cage whenrefilling the reservoir.

[0054] After the water reservoir is filled with water, the lid withvalve is placed on the top to cover the reservoir. The reservoir can nowbe turned upside down. The valve, by its own gravity, will close thehole in the lid so that no water can leak out. The reservoir is thenplaced into the holder upside down. Before the reservoir comes to restin its final position in the holder, the extended rod of the valve willreach the bottom of the holder, and as the reservoir reaches its lowestposition, the valve will be pushed up and held in an open position toallow water to fill the holder and trough.

[0055]FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate a feeder birdcage attachment 600 forparakeets and other small birds, which is an external gravity fedfeeder. The unique aspect of the feeder 600 of the present invention isthat the feeder 600 is outside the cage and relies on a chute 610 whichfeeds an internal cup 615 attached to the chute. As the reservoir 620 ofthis feeder 600 is open on top and mounted on the outside of the cage,it can be refilled most easily. The reservoir 620 is attached to aholder 630, which is provided with a fastener 635 that is engageablewith a cap 640 for securing the feeder 600 to a cage as discussed above.The seed cup 615 is attached inside a cage and as the bird feeds, seedsare replenished via a chute 610 which connects the reservoir 620 and theseed cup 615 through the bars of the cage. The cup 615 is preferablyvery shallow, holding only 3 to 4 layers of seed. This ensures thatseeds do not get buried under layers of empty seed shells and huskswhich accumulate as the bird feeds. This often happens in ordinary seedcups which tend to be deep. Bird keepers often discard large amounts ofgood seeds since it appears that the cups are filled with empty shellsonly.

[0056] The seed cup 615 has high rear and sidewalls acting as seedguards. Fewer seeds are scattered outside the cage by the birds feedingactivity. The shape and downward curved side walls discourages birds tosit and rest on the edge of the cup, where they sometimes defecate intothe cup, spoiling the seeds. The feeder also has an “on/off” mechanismwhich can shut off seed delivery to the cup, so that the cup can beremoved for cleaning without having to remove the entire feeder from thecage.

[0057] While the present invention has been described at some length andwith some particularity with respect to the several describedembodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any suchparticulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to beconstrued with references to the appended claims so as to provide thebroadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior artand, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of theinvention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in termsof embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enablingdescription was available, notwithstanding that insubstantialmodifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonethelessrepresent equivalents thereto.

I claim:
 1. A birdcage attachment comprising: a) a non-opaque mountingplate provided with means for mounting said mounting plate to abirdcage; b) at least one support arm extending outwardly from saidmounting plate; and c) at least one toy supported by said support armand movable with respect to said support arm and said mounting plate. 2.A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at leastone toy is movable in a direction that is perpendicular to said mountingplate.
 3. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidat least one toy is movable in a plane that is parallel to said mountingplate.
 4. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of support arms forming a support axis for saidat least one toy, said at least one toy being rotatable about saidsupport axis.
 5. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 4,wherein said at least one toy further comprises a plurality ofcomponents, each rotatable about said support axis.
 6. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 5, wherein one of said components isa ring.
 7. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 5, wherein oneof said components is a mirror.
 8. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 5, wherein one of said components is rotatable within anotherof said components.
 9. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 4,wherein said at least one toy comprises a first end having a first headand a second end having a second head.
 10. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 9, wherein said toy is rotatable about a firstrotation axis, the first head is rotatable about a second rotation axisand the second head is rotatable about a third rotation axis independentof said first and second rotation axes.
 11. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 10, wherein each head is rotatable in the samedirection as said toy relative to said support axis.
 12. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least one of saidheads is a mirror.
 13. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim11, wherein each of said heads is a mirror.
 14. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 4, wherein said at least one toy is a cylinderhaving an outer periphery and a plurality of gripping members disposedaround said outer periphery.
 15. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said at least one toy is supported by said supportarm along a rotation axis, and wherein said at least one toy furthercomprises a plurality of spaced-apart discs rotatable around saidrotation axis.
 16. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 15,wherein said plurality of spaced-apart discs are multi-colored.
 17. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 15, wherein at least one ofsaid discs is a mirror.
 18. A birdcage attachment in accordance withclaim 4, wherein said at least one toy is a hollow cylinder having anouter periphery defined by a plurality of spaced-apart bars and amovable sounding means disposed inside said hollow cylinder.
 19. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 4, wherein said supportaxis is a bar and said at least one toy is a bell rotatable about saidbar.
 20. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 19, wherein saidbell further comprises a striker attached to a lever plate from whichdepends a pair of pull chains.
 21. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 20, wherein a tug on one pull chain causes the other pullchain to rise and causes the striker to hit the bell.
 22. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 19, wherein said bar is positionedabove said mounting means.
 23. A birdcage attachment in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said mounting plate further comprises a positioner on arear side thereof for positioning the birdcage attachment relative to abirdcage.
 24. A birdcage attachment comprising: a) a mounting plateprovided with means for mounting said mounting plate to a birdcage; andb) at least one sliding member slidable through said mounting plate. 25.A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 24, wherein said at leastone sliding member is movable in a direction normal to said mountingplate, and wherein said at least one sliding member is movable from afirst position extended into a birdcage to which said mounting plate ismounted to a second position extended out of a birdcage to which saidmounting plate is mounted.
 26. A birdcage attachment in accordance withclaim 24, wherein said mounting plate is non-opaque.
 27. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 24, further comprising a pluralityof sliding members.
 28. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim24, wherein said plurality of sliding members are arranged in ageometric pattern on said mounting plate.
 29. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 28, further comprising three sliding membersarranged in a triangular pattern on said mounting plate.
 30. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 24, wherein each sliding memberfurther comprises a first end and a second end and a stop memberprovided on each end for limiting sliding movement of said slidingmember relative to said mounting plate.
 31. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 24, wherein said at least one sliding member isrotatable relative to said mounting plate.
 32. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 24, wherein said mounting plate is rotatablerelative to said mounting means.
 33. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 24, wherein said mounting means is integrally formed withsaid mounting plate.
 34. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim24, wherein said mounting means is snap engageable with said mountingplate.
 35. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 24, whereinsaid mounting plate further comprises a positioner on a rear sidethereof for positioning the birdcage attachment relative to a birdcage.36. A birdcage attachment comprising: a) a mounting plate provided withmeans for mounting said mounting plate to a birdcage; b) a first supportextending outwardly from said mounting plate; c) at least one toy havingan outer periphery and hanging from said first support; and d) at leastone other support extending outwardly from said mounting plate andadapted for positioning of said toy thereupon.
 37. A birdcage attachmentin accordance with claim 36, wherein said mounting plate is non-opaque.38. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 36, wherein saidmounting plate further comprises a positioner on a rear side thereof forpositioning the birdcage attachment relative to a birdcage.
 39. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 36, further comprising atleast two other supports extending outwardly from said mounting plate.40. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 39, wherein eachother support is positioned on opposite sides of said first support. 41.A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 40, wherein each othersupport is positioned equidistant from first support.
 42. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 41, wherein each other support ispositioned below said first support.
 43. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 36, wherein said toy further comprises a pluralityof grips extending from said outer periphery.
 44. A birdcage attachmentin accordance with claim 43, wherein said grips are equally spacedaround said outer periphery.
 45. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 36, wherein said at least one toy is a round ring.
 46. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 36, wherein said firstsupport is an arcuate rod having opposite ends and is fixed to themounting plate at each of said opposite ends.
 47. A birdcage attachmentin accordance with claim 46, wherein said at least one toy is a rod. 48.A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 47, wherein said at leastone other support is a shelf on which said rod is placed.
 49. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 48, wherein said rod hangs in onedirection at rest and said at least one other support is positioned tosupport said rod in a direction that is perpendicular to said hangingdirection.
 50. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 49,further comprising a plurality of rods hanging from said first supportand a plurality of shelves extending outwardly from said mounting plate,each shelf capable of supporting said plurality of rods thereon.
 51. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 50, wherein two shelves arepositioned relative to said first support such that first rod positionedon a first shelf will be pointing in a first direction and a second rodpositioned on a second shelf will be pointing in a second direction thatis opposite said first direction.
 52. A birdcage attachment inaccordance with claim 36, wherein said mounting plate is rotatablerelative to said mounting means.
 53. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 36, wherein said mounting means is integrally formed withsaid mounting plate.
 54. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim36, wherein said mounting means is snap engageable with said mountingplate.
 55. A birdcage attachment comprising: a) a mounting plateprovided with means for mounting said mounting plate to a birdcage; b) asupport extending outwardly from said mounting plate; c) an arcuate rodattached to said support and having a bight portion facing said mountingplate; and d) a plurality of rings rotatable and slidable along saidarcuate rod from a first position adjacent said mounting plate to asecond position adjacent said mounting plate.
 56. A birdcage attachmentin accordance with claim 55, wherein said mounting plate is non-opaque.57. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim 55, wherein saidmounting plate further comprises a positioner on a rear side thereof forpositioning the birdcage attachment relative to a birdcage.
 58. Abirdcage attachment in accordance with claim 55, wherein said mountingplate and said arcuate rod have the same shape.
 59. A birdcageattachment in accordance with claim 55, where said plurality of ringsare multi-colored.
 60. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim55, wherein said arcuate rod is positioned as an upside down “U”relative to said mounting plate.
 61. A birdcage attachment in accordancewith claim 55, wherein said mounting means is integrally formed withsaid mounting plate.
 62. A birdcage attachment in accordance with claim55, wherein said mounting means is snap engageable with said mountingplate.
 63. A birdcage attachment comprising: a) a mounting plateprovided with means for mounting said mounting plate to a birdcage; b) atrough extending outwardly from said mounting plate; c) a reservoirattached to said trough; and d) a stop valve disposed between saidreservoir and said trough; e) wherein said reservoir and said stop valveare removable from said trough as a combined unit for refilling saidreservoir.